Retainer Device for the Connection of Components in Particular Flooring Panels

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a retaining means for connecting structural parts, in particular covering panels, and to covering panels and the retaining parts thereof needed to form a covering. 
     In order to facilitate the connecting operation and to achieve a reliable connection, the retaining means has at least one adjusting element ( 4, 14, 24, 24′ ) for essentially form-fitting connection, and at least one retaining element ( 5, 15′, 25, 25′ ) for essentially force-fitting connection, to corresponding counterparts on the structural part which is to be connected.

The invention relates to a retaining means which is based on elastic deformation and is intended for connecting structural parts, in particular covering panels, and to covering panels and the retaining means thereof, the retaining means being based on elastic deformation and being used to connect the covering panels to form a covering.

A wide variety of configurations of covering panel are known. They may consist of natural stone, of ceramic material, of plastic or wood and, in some cases, of metal. Mixtures of these materials are also possible, these then either being incorporated one inside the other or being fastened on a common carrying panel. Such connections between surface materials and a carrying panel are often also used in the case of just one surface material, in order for it to be possible to use the mostly expensive surface material in as thin, and thus as cost-effective, a form as possible. For reasons relating to cost and production, the carrying panels usually consist of plastic, in particular polyurethane, and either are adhesively bonded to the materials referred to hereinbelow as decorative panels throughout or decorative panels are fitted into a mold and the carrying panel is foamed thereon.

Such covering panels, which may have overlaps along the peripheral region for better adjustment purposes, can be adhesively bonded to the floor using conventional adhesives or are adhesively bonded to substructures which are in the form of strips or latticeworks which are fastened appropriately on the underlying surface in the first instance, whereupon the covering panels are adhesively bonded or fitted into the resulting, correctly dimensioned and correctly positioned fastening system, or are clipped on by virtue of individual regions being elastically deformed.

Other possible fastening methods in which, instead of such a latticework or of such strips fastened on the underlying surface, use is made of relatively small-format retaining panels which can be connected to the covering panels and ensure the positioning, and possibly also the fastening, of one covering panel in relation to another are known. It is also known here to provide various elements which are intended for facilitating the fastening, or for actually producing it, and may also be based on elastic deformation, the end position always being selected such that it lies beyond a maximum-deformation position, and thus constitutes a kind of over-dead-center mechanism.

The invention, then, deals with this fastening by the elastic deformation of retaining parts, referred to hereinbelow as “clips” or “snap fasteners”, which have proven successful in themselves, but which have proven problematic in various ways in that, as a result of the disadvantageous addition of production tolerances and as a result of the disadvantageous addition of non-uniform density distributions in the usually foamed-on, elastically deformable retaining elements and the like, the elastically deformable elements only allow the desirable precise positioning of the individual covering panels in relation to one another to be maintained over relatively large surface areas with a high level of outlay, if at all.

Examples of such connecting elements are known from the following documents:

EP 0 816 592 A discloses a floor element which, in the peripheral regions, has mushroom-shaped protrusions which have axes normal to the main surface of the element and can be plugged into corresponding recesses in peripheral regions of the neighboring element. The individual elements are thus connected to form a covering.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,676,971 A discloses covering panels with fixing of a different type: by means of retaining panels which each retain in position the four covering panels, which abut at a corner. The retaining panels have roof-shaped elevations which project into complementary depressions on the underside of the covering panels. It is surprisingly the case (FIG. 2) that neither actual fixing nor actual adjustment of the covering panels has been taken into consideration here; the panels should just be prevented from being able to slide freely. Allowances are obviously made for relatively large tolerances (joints or gaps 17, 18, and 19 in FIG. 2).

DE 41 3 5 662 C discloses a multipurpose platform made of a number of metal sheets which are connected by connecting elements arranged in the corner regions in each case. Connection takes place by way of screw-connections through slots, and thus also not by elastic deformation of retaining parts.

EP 0 191 8 68 A discloses another method of laying floor panels, namely on a frame which comprises strips which are adjusted in relation to one another by means of cylindrical pins projecting into cylindrical mating holes in the neighboring strip, although the frame parts are not fixed in relation to one another in any way. The floor panels themselves are simply fitted into the frame formed in this way.

FR 2 69 0 472 A is far-removed from the field of the invention and deals with the connection of a grating to an I-beam by means of a stirrup which engages around the I-beam and is drawn up against the grating by means of a screw and nut passing through one of the holes of the grating, and thus clamps in the upper crossbar of the I-beam, which causes the grating to be fixed.

Other covering-panel connections are known from the following documents:

A wide variety of different embodiments of adjusting and fastening elements are known from documents concerned with the construction of false-floor systems. Reference is made, in this respect, just to DE 23 39 978 A, DE 23 60 784 A, DE 31 14 590 A, DE 33 30 612 A, FR 2 710 360 A, WO 97/26424 A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,423 A. The floors disclosed in these documents comprise supporting elements which are positioned and/or fastened at predetermined spacings on the subfloor, are adjusted in height to the desired level and on which the actual floor panels are then positioned, adjustment and fixing being achieved by way of protrusions and recesses, in a manner analogous to the document mentioned in the introduction. The last-mentioned French document differs slightly from this insofar as it deals with a dismantleable exhibition floor in which the supports are also connected to one another and thus form a kind of frame, it also being possible for the centers of the individual covering panels to be supported.

EP 0 191 868 A discloses a false floor which has similarities to the floor in the last-mentioned French document since it has strip elements which are fastened on the floor and into which, finally, the covering panels are inserted. As a result of the insertion method, fixing is only achieved by the weight of the individual panels; this system does not allow for any fitting on walls or ceilings, or even on sloping surfaces.

A further false floor, similar to the exhibition floor according to the abovementioned French document, is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,575 A: use is made here of a large-surface-area frame element which can accommodate a plurality of covering panels, and the covering panels rest on strip-like protrusions of the frame element and are likewise supported by cylindrical supporting and adjusting elements in the vicinity of their center. The frame elements can be connected to one another by appropriately configured peripheral regions. It is also the case that this floor can only be used as a floor and only on level ground.

DE 42 44 424 A discloses a false floor in which the individual structural elements used form channels through which cables or pipes can be passed. Nothing is said about the fastening or adjustment, of these elements on the underlying surface or in relation to one another.

A floor which, although not a false floor, makes it possible to compensate for differences in level is known from DE 202 08 282 U. It is possible here for supporting surfaces of the panel bearing, which rests on the underlying surface, to be adjusted in height, the panels rest on the bearings and are adjusted in position within the plane of the covering by vertical crosspieces.

DE 19 18 203 A, FR 2 345 560A and U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,168 A disclose floors in which adjacent panels are retained in predetermined positions in relation to one another by the peripheries being designed in a form-fitting manner similar to puzzle blocks. Apart from the problems with any kind of unevenness in the underlying surface, none of these documents deals with the fastening of the individual panels on the underlying surface; only with their positioning in relation to one another.

A particular type of floor covering, in a certain respect a doubling of the last-mentioned floors, is disclosed in FR 2 206 430 A, FR 2 570 116 A, U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,749 A and U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,338 A: ail these documents contain floor coverings of which the panels comprise a bottom region and a top region, the outline of the two regions differing from one another, but, with correctly-adjacent positioning, allowing a gap-free surface fit in both regions. This is intended to avoid the problem of overloading the edges and, in particular, corners of covering panels. None of these documents, however, deals in any way with the installation of these panels on the underlying surface; this installation takes place, according to the individual documents, in a conventional manner, namely by surface-area adhesive bonding using an appropriate bonding agent or by being laid out over a surface area (floating laying).

Finally, the applicant's WO 02/31290A, which deals with floor and wall coverings, mentions in passing that it is possible to install on the underlying surface strips which have protrusions with which appropriately configured recesses on that side of the covering panels which is directed toward the underlying surface interact so as to achieve adjustment and, in some circumstances, fastening of the panels. All that is said about the design of these adjusting elements and their counterparts is that they can interact in a form-fitting manner, that they may be of resilient design and they can be plugged one inside the other by elastic and/or plastic deformation, provision also being made for the connection produced to be configured such that it can be released without being destroyed, and it being possible for the positioning elements to be conical, frustoconical or spherical; no more than this idea is disclosed.

One of the applicant's PCT/AT05/000202, which was not published before the priority date, describes a special covering-panel retaining element which, in conjunction with a counterpart, performs both the adjusting and the fixing functions for the covering panels which are to be connected. This element and its counterpart are of complicated construction and are therefore expensive to produce. Added to this is the fact that it has to be, on the one hand, rigid, in order to be able to perform its adjusting functions, and, on the other hand, soft, in order not to allow any displacement out of the desired position during fixing, which means that it is necessary to make compromises.

The object of the invention is to specify a connection between the retaining panels and the covering panels, or between one covering panel and another, which ensures both improved accuracy in the positioning of one panel in relation to another and at least equally straightforward and reliable laying arid fastening. It is always possible here, instead of covering panels, for other structural parts to be connected to one another, although, in order to make the text easier to read, this is not always referred to.

These aims are achieved according to the invention in that the retaining means and the covering panel each have at least one adjusting element and at least one retaining element, the adjusting element of the retaining means producing an essentially form-fitting connection with the adjusting element of the covering panel, and the retaining element of the retaining means producing an essentially force-fitting connection with the retaining element of the covering panel.

Adjusting elements and retaining elements are understood as being both projecting parts, such as pins, mushroom-shaped protrusions, etc., and the associated cavities or recesses. The position of the two structural parts which are to be connected is determined by the form-fitting connection brought about by the adjusting elements. The retaining elements, which effect the force-fitting connection, ensure that the structural parts are fixed to one another. The force fit may be ensured by the mushroom shape and the corresponding “undercut” shape of the associated recess, but it is also possible to achieve the forced fit by way of a friction fit also based on elastic deformation. It is also possible to use conical or pyramid-shaped structures, as long as the inclination thereof lies within the cone of friction. The essential factor is for it to be possible for the structural parts to be separated again, without being destroyed or damaged, just by overcoming the elastic deformation.

In a first configuration of the invention, the retaining means may be arranged on the covering panels themselves, e.g. may be produced integrally therewith. Counterparts are arranged at corresponding locations on the covering panels which are to be connected.

In a second configuration, the retaining means are provided on retaining panels. In this case, the retaining panels and the covering panels have adjusting elements and retaining elements which interact with corresponding counterparts on the covering panels and retaining panels, respectively. It is advantageous here if the adjusting elements are cylindrical or prismatic, and if the adjusting elements project to a higher level above the surface of contact between the retaining panel and the covering panel than do the retaining elements.

This ensures that the adjusting elements engage one inside the other and secure the position of the two panels in relation to one another before the elastically deformable retaining elements interact, in which case it is no longer possible for the panels to be displaced in relation to one another as a result of non-uniform elastic deformation of the retaining elements.

In both cases, the adjusting elements may be bevelled or chamfered at their free ends in order to allow easier installation; it is possible for the adjusting elements to be formed integrally on the panel (retaining panel or covering panel) during foaming or injection molding, but it is also possible for the adjusting elements to be foamed or cast in the respective panel as lost cores, this making it possible, for example, to use adjusting elements made of metal. It is also possible either for the counterparts to be formed as mating depressions with bevels at the peripheries, or mating matallic bushings may be foamed in in the manner of lost cores. Finally, it is also possible for the adjusting elements and counterparts to be incorporated by adhesive bonding, but this, on account of the high outlay and the necessity for precisely produced adhesive bonds, will only be advantageous in exceptional cases.

The retaining elements, then, as is already known, may comprise mushroom-shaped protrusions, which are pressed into undercut depressions, or else, and this is preferred, snap-fastener-like metallic structures are foamed into, or onto, the respective structural part in the manner of lost cores. These retaining elements are cost-effective, reliable and can be opened and closed a number of times, in which case the covering panels can easily be exchanged, even once installation has taken place, as long as it is not also the case that the covering panel itself is adhesively bonded to the underlying surface or the retaining panel, although this is generally not necessary in view of the retaining forces emanating from the snap fasteners. Such clips or snap fasteners are known from the automotive industry, where they are used in their millions, in technically sophisticated form, for fastening coverings in the interior of the vehicles and in the region of the trunk.

The invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawing, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first variant of the invention,

FIGS. 3 to 5 show a second variant,

FIG. 6 shows a third variant,

FIGS. 7 to 12 show various configurations of a fourth variant,

FIG. 13 shows a fifth variant,

FIG. 14 shows a design of the covering panel which can be used with the second variant, and

FIG. 15 shows a configuration which is suitable for all the variants.

First of all, it should be pointed out once again that the connecting element according to the invention, although explained here with reference to a floor covering or a wall covering, can be used in many ways in the building industry and mechanical engineering.

FIG. 1 shows, truly schematically, a variant of the invention in which adjacent covering panels are connected directly to one another. In the examples illustrated, the covering panels each comprise a carrying panel, which ensures the mechanical strength, and at least one decorative panel, which determines the visual appearance. The type of illustration, as it is not important for the invention, is always purely schematic. In its peripheral region, the covering panel has a stepped profile which either runs along the transition between the decorative panel and carrying panel or may also be formed within the carrying panel. These contours are formed in the manner of half a groove/tongue connection and have been known for some time now in the prior art. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, a covering panel 1 comprises a carrying panel 3 with rounded corners and a (possibly multi-part) decorative panel 2 which is arranged on the carrying panel and has right-angled corners, the corner region under consideration being set back behind the periphery of the carrying panel 3.

In order to achieve a gap-free surface area covering, the diagonally opposite corner (which is not illustrated) is formed the other way around; there, the decorative panel 2 projects correspondingly beyond the periphery of the carrying panel 3, this resulting in a so-called “surface fit”. These configurations are also known in the prior art and thus need not be referred to any further here.

According to the invention, then, adjacent panels are connected by snap fasteners 5 which are arranged at appropriate locations of the projecting carrying panel 3 and engage in corresponding counterparts (not illustrated) of the adjacent covering panel. According to the invention, the snap fastener 5 and/or its counterpart undergo elastic deformation during engagement, and this deformation causes the two covering panels concerned to be held together. These retaining elements, which in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designed as snap fasteners 5, with their counterparts on the structural part which is to be connected should form an as far as possible force-fitting connection.

The precise adjustment of adjacent covering panels in relation to one another is achieved here, according to the invention, by adjusting pins 4 which project into corresponding adjusting recesses (not illustrated) in the associated adjacent covering panel and are retained there with a sufficiently low level of tolerance, so that the predetermined position of the adjacent covering panels in relation to one another is achieved within the covering plane. The adjusting elements with their counterparts on the structural part which is to be connected constitute an as far as possible form-fitting connection. Separating the adjusting parts from the retaining parts achieves both a better adjusting action and a better retaining action than would the provision of a combined adjusting and retaining part.

The reason for this is essentially the fact that it is thus possible to provide the adjusting parts with a high level of rigidity in relation to movement and/or deformation in a direction transverse to their axis (thus parallel to the panel plane) and to design the retaining parts to be “soft” in this plane, but to have good retaining properties in the direction normal to the panel plane.

According to the invention, then, the adjusting pin 4 and the adjusting opening engage one inside the other before the snap fastener 5 and its counterpart come into contact with one another. In the case of the conventional construction with a planar surface as a mating surface for the projecting region of the carrying panel 3, the adjusting opening opens out into this mating surface and the counterpart for the snap fastener likewise terminates flush with this mating surface, since otherwise it would not be possible to have surface-area contact in the region of the snap fastener. In the case of this arrangement, then, it is necessary and sufficient, for fulfilling the condition according to the invention, for the height H of the adjusting pin 4 to be greater than the height h of the snap fastener 5 above the end surface of the projecting part of the carrying panel 3.

The previous explanations and the drawing describe an embodiment in which that part of the carrying panel which projects beyond the decorative panel is as thick as elsewhere, in which case the counterparts for the adjusting pin 4 and for the snap fastener 5 have to be formed in the decorative panel 2. In some circumstances, this is disadvantageous from a mechanical point of view, or on account of the method of producing the covering panel, and is obviously not necessary; the carrying panel 3 may be designed with its projecting part thinner than the region beneath the decorative panel 2, in which case the counterparts of the adjusting pin 4 and of the snap fastener 5 are also at least partially, preferably wholly, arranged in the carrying panel. The reason for this is that it is preferable, in terms of production costs and production accuracy, for these elements to be provided in the manner of a lost core in the carrying panel, which is usually formed in a mold by foaming or injection molding.

As has already been explained above, however, it is also easily possible to use the measures according to the invention for coverings which provide strips or retaining panels between the individual covering panels.

A first embodiment of this type is illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 3 here shows a plan view of a retaining panel 12 which is designed according to the invention, rests on the underlying surface 10 and in the case of which one covering panel 11, which is intended to be transparent, of a total of 4 covering panels which interact with the retaining panel is illustrated schematically. The retaining panel 12 bears positioning pins 14 and mounts 15′ for snap fasteners (not illustrated) corresponding to the snap fasteners 5 of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, which is a side view in the direction of the arrow III in FIG. 3, the positioning pins 14, which in this exemplary embodiment are circular-cylindrical, project to a higher level above the surface of the retaining panel 12 than do the mounts 15′ for the snap fasteners. The height ratio is thus determined such that the positioning pins 14 come into contact with the associated positioning openings before the snap fasteners come into contact with their mounts 15′.

As can also be gathered from FIG. 4, the cylindrical positioning pins 14 have axially running ribs 16, which make it possible to achieve particularly precise adjustment.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a retaining panel 12. This retaining panel has grooves 17 which make it possible for the retaining panel 12 to be broken specifically along these grooves, by virtue of being pivoted, in order to allow the corners of covering panels to be easily fixed in the peripheral region of the covering without any special parts, or a special tool, being required. For this purpose, and also to make matters easier for production by means of injection molding, an opening 18 is provided in the central region. Of course, it is also possible for the retaining panel 12 to be produced by foam-filling a mold, but it has been found that using retaining panels made of plastic which has been processed by injection molding is advantageous since, for these panels, the time required for production, the accuracy of the parts produced and the mechanical strength thereof is generally superior to the retaining panels produced by using foamed plastics.

It is equally also possible for the covering panels 11, which generally likewise comprise a carrying panel and at least one decorative panel, to be produced by injection molding, but it has been proven here that production in molds in which the decorative panel or the individual decorative panels has or have been inserted in the manner of lost cores, the mold then being foam-filled preferably with closed-cell polyurethane (or similar plastics), is generally advantageous. It is also the case here that the counterparts for the positioning pins 14 are provided by corresponding pins being formed on the mold and the fastening for snap fasteners corresponding to the snap fasteners 5 is formed by corresponding inserts, at the appropriate locations, in the mold.

FIG. 14 shows an advantageous development of this variant: the positioning pins 14 and the snap fasteners 5 are provided or formed in a common, L-shaped insert part 27 which, during production of the carrying panel (not illustrated) , is also foamed as a lost core. It is thus possible to produce the insert part 27 from a material which is particularly suitable for transmitting the forces in the connecting region. This configuration also allows the mold in which the covering panel is produced to be simplified to a significant extent. In the example illustrated, the side 33 of the insert part, this side being directed toward the covering panel, is not precisely planar, and this, although not necessary, results in a flat formation and secure anchoring in the covering panel. Recesses 34, into which the material of the carrying panel penetrates during foaming, further improve the fit. It is also possible for this measure to be dispensed with or replaced by some other measure, this being easy for a person skilled in the art of plastics technology who has knowledge of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a variant with a strip-like retaining panel 22, which otherwise corresponds to the retaining panel 12. This too has adjusting elements or positioning pins 24 and retaining elements or snap fasteners 25, which are provided at appropriate locations.

FIGS. 7 to 12 show different embodiments of a variant of a retaining panel according to the invention which can be used not just for covering panels, but also for wall elements in particular for constructing trade-fair stands or booths, for room dividers, in so-called dry interior finishing and, quite particularly, also for toys and the like.

In FIG. 7, the adjusting and retaining elements run essentially parallel to the surface of the panels 21. In contrast, the adjusting element 4 and retaining element 5 of the covering panel 1 from FIG. 1 are positioned normal to the surface of the covering panel. Of course, it would also be conceivable, in the case of panels which are to be connected to one another without a retaining means located therebetween, to orient the adjusting and retaining element, and the counterpart thereof, parallel to the panel surface or also in an inclined manner in relation to this surface.

FIG. 7 in particular is of interest in respect of the use of covering panels. It shows a purely schematic horizontal section through the corner region of the floor or wall covering in which four rectangular covering panels 21 butt against one another. In this embodiment, the peripheries of the covering panels 21, at least in the region in which they interact with the retaining panel 22, are essentially smooth, rather than stepped as in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 6. The end walls of the covering panels 21 contain recesses 24′ which interact with positioning pins 24 provided on the carrying panel 22. In the same way, the carrying panel 22 has snap fasteners 25 which interact with mating counterparts 25′ in the end wall 26 of the covering panel 21. These snap fasteners 25 may be the snap fasteners which are known from automotive engineering, as explained above, or, in particular in the case of small-format elements which are to be connected, may have undercut shapes which are formed integrally with these elements and are elastically deformable or, particularly in the case of large-format and solid parts which are to be connected, in particular structural parts, may be considerably larger and be retaining elements which act with more pronounced retaining forces.

The essential factor in this embodiment is also that the adjusting elements 24, 24′ are already interacting as the retaining elements 25, 25′ begin to interact.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of a retaining panel or retaining means 22 depicting, once again schematically, the arrangement of the adjusting pins 24 and of the clip 25. The design details of these elements can be gathered from what has been said above and will therefore be neither illustrated or explained any more specifically here.

For structural parts which come into contact with one another over a height which is greater than is customary for covering panels, it is advantageous to use a retaining means 32 as illustrated in FIG. 9 and which, in terms of width, corresponds essentially to a doubling of the retaining strip or retaining means 22. Of course, it is also possible to half a retaining means 22 or a similar construction, as illustrated In FIGS. 10 to 12. FIG. 10 thus shows a retaining means 22′ which is only half as long as the retaining means 22 from FIG. 8; FIG. 11 shows a retaining means 22″ in the case of which the retaining means 22, while being of the same length, is provided with adjusting elements 25 and clips 24 only on one side, in which case, on the other side, it is smooth and forms a continuous surface 26 with the structural parts 21. Finally, FIG. 12 shows a retaining means 22′″ which is formed, on one side, like the retaining means 22″ and, on the other side, like the retaining means 22′.

Of course, all these retaining means, as well as the retaining means 32, may be formed in multiple arrangements in the direction, normal to the plane of the drawing, and it is also possible for the dimensions and designs of the adjusting elements, but particularly of the retaining elements, to be different, as explained above.

For the retaining means 22, etc. illustrated, FIGS. 7 to 12 have illustrated just one adjusting element 24 per structural part 21 which is to be connected; this has only been done for reasons of clarity, and it is usually advantageous to provide at least two such adjusting pins per retaining part. As can be seen from the schematic illustrations, the retaining means 22, etc. according to the invention can also be used to create a straightforward and reliable mechanical connection between individual structural parts for three-dimensional structures, in which case the system according to the invention is very well suited in particular for trade-fair booths or stands, for barriers or partitioning and in particular if these are to be designed such that they can be dismantled easily and repeatedly. Finally, reference should be made again to the suitability for use in toys, and this may be advantageous both for building blocks and for technical construction kits. All that is required is for the individual structural parts 21 to be provided at all the possible locations with counterparts corresponding to the connecting elements and retaining means 22; which of these are ultimately used, and which remain free, then depends on the combination selected in each case. Specifically in the case of toys, but also in the case of visible surfaces of dismountable counters or pieces of furniture or room dividers, it is possible to use coverings which are designed in a manner similar to the right-hand part of the retaining means 22′″ and the use of which, although not providing for any kind of connection, terminates smoothly with the surface of the respective structural part 21.

FIG. 13 shows a variant of the invention in which the retaining means 22 for each structural part 21 has at least two adjusting elements 24. This allows the position of the individual structural parts 21 to be better adjusted, as a result of which better fixing can be achieved even during assembly.

Of course, other shapes, in particular in the case of non-rightangled covering panels, are also possible and, in some circumstances, advantageous. It is easy for a person skilled in the art of producing such covering panels, who has knowledge of the invention, to make the corresponding adaptations in order to arrive at a fastening with an appropriate retaining force and the desired dismantling capability.

A very advantageous development of the invention, in particular in the case of covering panels which are used as floor coverings, is the integration of electric lines which are conductively connected to one another by the metallic retaining element. It is thus possible, in particular in the case of trade fairs, for data lines and lights for escape routes, etc. to be created in a straightforward and reliable manner. All that is required here is to “branch” conductors at the appropriate locations, these being easy to realize by special plugs or covering panels with integrated connections.

An example of such a configuration is illustrated schematically in FIG. 15. A retaining panel 12 contains an electric conductor 32, fully sheathed by electrically insulating panel material, (or an insulated conductor) which electrically connects to one another the two illustrated metallic mounts 15′ for the snap fasteners 5 of the covering panels 1. The snap fasteners 5, for their part, are electrically connected by means of lines (not designated) to heating elements, rows of luminal res, or simply just lines, in short an electrical element 30. In the example illustrated, the covering panel arranged on the left has an electronics unit 31 which can interact, for example, with a remote control or a sensor.

If more than one snap fastener is provided per corner of the covering panels, then two-pole supplies can also easily be provided for; otherwise, a certain amount of care has to be taken with the position of the individual covering panels within the covering.

It is thus possible, if the electrical element 30 is a row (or a series) of luminaires, to form, within the covering, the information for an escape route or, in particular in the case of a planar design, an “eye catcher” for a specific exhibit or the like. The electronics unit 31 can in this case set a series of pulsars or, in the case of escape-route lighting, provide the switch-on pulse in conjunction with a central fire alarm system or the like. Of course, the decorative panel 29 here should be transparent or at least transluscent.

Of course, it is also possible to design the electrical element 30 as a heating element which is planar or runs in meandering fashion. Finally, a data line, a power supply or the like can also be led straightforwardly to a display case, a desk or a sales desk without there being any need for high-cost installation in the floor or unsightly “overhead routing”.

The invention, rather than being restricted to the variants which have been illustrated and described, can be modified in various ways. In particular the retaining panels can assume some other form, in particular strip form, in which case they run along abutting peripheries of adjacent covering panels and retain and adjust and, possibly, electrically connect a plurality of covering panels.

The heating elements and/or lighting elements may be of punctiform, linear or surface-area design, and the electronics unit can be controlled by remote control and the like; this does not pose any problems for a person skilled in the art of heating and/or lighting, and the control and regulation thereof, who has knowledge of the invention. 

1. Retaining means for connecting structural parts, in particular covering panels, by force-fitting connection, characterized in that the retaining means has at least one adjusting element (4, 14, 24, 24′) for at least essentially form-fitting connection, and at least one retaining element (5, 15′, 25, 25′) for at least essentially force-fitting connection, to corresponding counterparts on the structural part which is to be connected.
 2. Retaining means according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting element (4, 14, 24, 24′) projects further out of the surface of contact with the structural part that is to be connected than does the retaining element (5, 15′, 25, 25′).
 3. Retaining means according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the adjusting element (4, 14, 24, 24′) is in the form of a preferably cylindrical or prismatic positioning pin.
 4. Retaining means according to claim 3, characterized in that the positioning pin has axially running ribs (16).
 5. Retaining means according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the retaining element (5, 15′, 25, 25′) is designed as a snap fastener or clip.
 6. Panel, in particular covering panel, characterized in that the panel (1, 11, 21) has at least one adjusting element (4, 14, 24, 24′) for essentially form-fitting connection, and at least one retaining element (5, 15′, 25, 25′) for essentially force-fitting connection, to corresponding counterparts on a structural part (1, 11, 21, 12, 22, 22′, 22″, 22′″, 32) which is to be connected to the panel (1, 11, 21) .
 7. Panel according to claim 6, characterized in that the panel (1, 11, 21), in a manner known per se, has a carrying panel (3) and a decorative panel (2), the carrying panel (3) projecting beyond the outline of the decorative panel (2) at at least one location, and in that the adjusting element (4) and the retaining element (5) are arranged at this location.
 8. Retaining part for connecting structural parts, in particular covering panels, characterized in that the retaining part (12, 22, 22′, 22″, 22′″, 32) has adjusting elements (4, 14, 24, 24′) for essentially form-fitting connection, and retaining elements (5, 15′, 25, 25′) for essentially force-fitting connection, to corresponding counterparts on the structural parts (1, 11, 21) which are to be connected.
 9. Floor covering comprising covering panels (1, 11, 21) and retaining parts (12, 22, 22′, 22″, 22′″, 32), characterized in that each retaining part has adjusting elements (4, 14, 24, 24′) for essentially form-fitting connection, and retaining elements (5, 15′, 25, 25′) for essentially force-fitting connection, to corresponding counterparts on the covering panels (1, 11, 21), and in that each retaining part is connected to at least two, preferably to four, covering panels. 